By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal said Nigeria has commenced promotion of Low Sulphur Fuels and Compressed Natural Gas( CNG).
This was contained in a statement signed and issued by Mudasiru M A For: Director of Press and Public Relations.
It said Balarabe stated this while inaugurating the Inter-Agency Committee on fuel to promote the use of low Sulphur Fuels and Compressed Natural Gas in the country recently.
The Minister noted that the use of cleaner fuels will significantly reduce air pollution and human health challenges caused by high sulphur in Petroleum products.
The Minister lamented that high sulphur fuels have been linked to rising cases of asthma attacks, acute/chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive lung diseases and many other ailments.
He further stated that the reviewed Nigeria Industrial Standards for Sulphur concentration in Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene was made possible by the mandate of the Ministry and support from the critical stakeholders.
The Minister disclosed that the standards are as follows: Diesel – From 300ppm to 500ppm; Petrol – 1, 500ppm to 150ppm and Kerosene -1, 500ppm to 150ppm in 2016 and transition was proposed in 2017-2019.
He further emphasized on the rise of the use of high sulphur concentrations in fuels which resulted to associated rise in extreme weather, dirty air and others.
According to the Minister, the term of reference before the committee includes creation of a Polution Monitoring Team, Quality Reporting on finding, Annual Report with recommendations to Federal Executive Council ( FEC ), Simulation and Pollution projectlion and mitigation goals and Develop Action Plans for the Federal Government on cleaner fuels to enable Nigeria attain climate, health and developmental goals.
